Sunday August 30, 2009, 12:37 pm
Captive bolt guns are designed to stun animals in the slaughterhouse and the use of a projecting bolt version for killing large animals in the feild such as happened in the foot and mouth outbreak is the preserve of a vet or trained slaughterman. Clearly by having this crude equipment available for the purpose of euthanasia the RSPCA has step outside it's remit of animal welfare to take on the role of judge jury and executioner. This method of killing is about as humane as using an axe or hammer and the RSPCA should be ashamed of itself It would appear from the reports that only one German Sheperd Rescue was approached when there are dozens up and down the country. Had a member of the public used this crude method or even a vet who did not follow it up with a lethal injection then I'm sure the RSPCA would want to prosecute for causing unneccessary sufferring to an animal let alone ten of them! Disgusting unconscionable action for a socitye supposedly dedicated to animals welfare!

Sunday August 30, 2009, 12:48 pm
An animal protection organisation doing something like this is especially heinous. What possible justification could they possible have for killing these poor animals in this beastly manner? I hope they are prosecuted ans suitable punishment is handed out to them.

Sunday August 30, 2009, 1:40 pm
i agree Chris.. this JUST hAS to end.......now.I am sickened by these wackos that do not give a damn, and i assume the others either are scared, or to lazy to stop these behaviors.

Monday August 31, 2009, 12:51 am
The best friend I had in the whole world was a german shepherd. I'm sorry Cher but I just can't even read this article, far to upsetting to me. But, noted.

Monday August 31, 2009, 3:04 am
they are such beautiful dogs. such a shame.

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 1:58 pm
Response from RSCA

Statement regarding 10 German Shepherd dogs in South Wales 16.7.09

We received a call on 23 June this year from a member of the public relating to 10 German Shepherd dogs at an address in Pontardawe, in south Wales. The caller said the dogs’ owner, a relative, had died and the dogs had been living on their own.

An RSPCA inspector visited the premises that day and assessed the animals. The inspector took the decision that none of the dogs were at all suitable for rehoming due to concerns about their aggressive behaviour and lack of socialisation with people. The dogs were also suffering from a severe skin condition.

We explained the next-of-kin that they should contact other rescue groups for help. The next-of-kin were made fully aware that if the RSPCA became involved, the dogs would be euthanased.

The owner’s next-of-kin later contacted the RSPCA again and said they had been turned down by other charities, including the Dogs Trust, who were unwilling to take on the animals and they signed over the dogs, fully aware of what would happen.

A decision was made following a discussion between eight RSPCA officers that the most humane form of euthanasia would be to use a captive bolt. This would minimise distress to the dogs, while also being the safest method for those people responsible for dealing with the animals. Restraining the dogs and then shaving a limb to prepare for a lethal injection would have caused these animals unnecessary suffering, due to the animals suffering from a severe skin condition.

The inspector euthanased the dogs using a captive bolt. After a discussion between eight officers, this was decided to be the most humane method. It was also the most suitable as the dogs were too dangerous to approach for a vet to administer a sedative, to allow for a lethal injection.

The dogs were taken outside into the garden of the house on a grasper, given a few moments of exercise (it is unlikely they had been outside in weeks, if not months) and then the inspector used a captive bolt.

The house was in a remote and isolated situation, away from any other properties. Each dog was euthanased away from the rest of the dogs which were kept in the house. They would have been unable to hear the captive bolt being used as it is a very quiet method.

The dogs were only handled for a very short amount of time, on the grasper, and stress was kept to an absolute minimum. Nobody was injured and the dogs appeared to be oblivious to the fact that this was anything other than being taken into the garden.

It is the RSPCA’s raison d’être to prevent cruelty to animals, and it was decided this sad, but ultimately necessary, outcome for the dogs was the best way to prevent the animals any further suffering. The decision was not made lightly and, as always, it was made with the best interests of the animal at heart.

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 2:03 pm
I cannot say that I believe or disbelieve the statement.

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 2:11 pm
WHY CAN YOU NOT BELIVE OR DISBELIVE, JUST WONDERING NOT STARTING CRAP AS I HATE THAT...

Tuesday September 1, 2009, 2:40 pm
Even if the dogs where deaf the weapon has to be held to their head to be used and it is not intended to kiil it is how animals in a slaugherhouse are stunned before being killed. The sort used in the field are blank cartridge driven so the sound is very similar to pistol shot which is hardly quiet and most of these things are single shot so if it did not work you have a problem the ones in slaughterhouses are compressed air driven for continuous use. Sorry all you meat eaters but thats how it's done in the UK At least animals are unconsciuos when killed which is more tha could be said for these German Shepherds! Absolutely disgusting.
If you read the blogs on Facebook there is a story of tortoise killed by an RSPCA inspector because it wass nuisance in her van whilst the owner of 40 years which is a long time to have a pet was franticlly phoning the RSPCA to find who had taken her tortoise. Another story is of a cat that strayed into a neighbours garden and was picked up by the RSPCA collection officer only to be killed in his van ouside his house that evening! I have voiced my disgust at their actions and suggested they should not have spent £9.5 million on a new shiny headquarter for the offices of the Society in Horsham West Sussex which a fairly expensive property area anyway being a short train ride from London! The savings could have better been spent providing accomadation for animals and on training their officers who are apparently allowed to practice killing on stray dogs if the information about the training is correct!